Needle threader



Sept. 24, 1957 s. FUGELSETH NEEDLE THREADER FiledFeb. s, 1956 RH ma M m s NL a s 2 e u 2 1 nqw. F A 2. L e v. l 2 N B m N u G A'ETOENEYS United States Patent NEEDLE THREADER Gunnar Fugelseth, Fox RiverGrove, 111'. Application February 3, 1956, Serial No. 563,335 3Claims. (Cl. 223-99 This invention relates generally to needle threading devices and .a'primary object of invention is to provide an improved needle threader which reduces the utilization of visualizing the eye of the needle when "threading the same, and incorporates to a large degree the sense of feelof' the-user of the device.

A further object of invention in conformance with v 7 that set forth above is to provide a needle threader incorporating means for threading needles of varying lengths.

Another object of invention in conformance with that set forth above is to providea needle threader of the character set forth which is readily and economically manufactured, easily used, and highly practical, serviceable and efiicient for the purpose intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view showing in phantom lines the finger of the user of the device and showing a needle mounted thereon in the process of being threaded;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the novel needle threader;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing in phantom lines the manner in which the device is used; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a modified form of the terminal hook end portion of the threader element of the needle threader.

Referring to the drawings the novel needle threader is indicated generally at 10 and includes an elongated body member 12 having mounted thereon a laterally extending spring assembly 14, and a needle holding element indicated generally at 16.

The body member 12 is disclosed as being tubular, however the same may be constructed of a solid material, various materials being utilized, such as aluminum, plastic, etc.

The body member 12 includes a tubular member 18 having a central bore portion 20, and as seen in Figure 3 there is extending through the side wall of the body member an angular aperture portion 22.

The spring member 14 has a lower end portion 24 which is disposed adjacent the inner periphery of the bore 20 of the body member being retained thereagainst by means of a suitable plug element 26 which, if desired, may be a conventional cork, however any other suitable plug element may be utilized. The spring member 14 includes a central body portion 28 which constitutes a continuation of the portion 24 thereof, said portion 28 extending through the angular aperture portion 22 in the body member 18 and having a resilient set which normally disposes the body portion 28 in the laterally extending vertical disposition relative to the elongated body member 18. Suitably secured at the upper end portion 30 of the 2,807,397 Patented Sept. v24:, 1957 body portion 28 of the spring member is the end portion 32 of a threader element indicated generally at 34, said portion 32being secured to 'thebody portion 28 by means of a weld 36, for example. The threader element 34 includes a central portion 38 extending angularly from the endportion32 and terminating-ma terminal hook'end portion 40. a .As seen in Figure 4, the threader element 34 includes on .the central portion 38 a vertically disposed flattened end portion 40 which has in the upper edge portion 42' thereof anupwardly opening notch portion 44' which will receive therein the thread T to be threaded into the needle as -will subsequently become apparent.

Asseen in Figures land 2 when the finger F is-utilized to provide \pressure on'the spring member 14 thevthreader element 34 will be disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal-axis of the body member 18.

The body member 18 includesat its upperend portion 42 diametrical notch portions 44 and 46 which are; in substantial planar alignment with the threader element 34 and the spring member 14. I

The needle holding element 16 includes a laterally extending annular flange element 48 which includes an upper surface portion 50 which is generally disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of the body member 18, said element 48 being made of any suitable material permitting the penetration of the point 52 of the needle 43, see Figure 3, the element 48 being of a resilient material such as rubber whereby the same may be slid longitudinally on the body 18 thus accommodating needles of varying lengths.

The eye of the needle, generally indicated 56, is dis posed in alignment with the diametrically opposed notch portions 44 and 46 and when the tension of the spring member 14 is overcome and the threader element 34 is disposed as shown in the phantom lines of Figure 3, the hook portions 40 or 44' thereof extending through the eye 56 of the needle the thread T is looped thereover and upon release of the finger pressure the spring member 14 will return to the position shown in the solid lines of Figure 3 and the needle will have been accordingly threaded.

Various positional directional terms such as front, lower etc. utilized herein have only a relative connotation to aid in describing the device and it is not intended to require any particular orientation with respect to any external elements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A needle threading device comprising an elongated body member, a leaf spring element secured at its lower end to a lower end portion of the body member and extending laterally therefrom, said body member including a diametrical aligning portion extending transversely through an upper end portion of said body member, a threader element having an end secured to an upper end portion of the leaf spring element in angular relationship thereto, the other end of the threader element terminating in a terminal hook portion extendable through the diarnetrical aligning portion normal to the longitudinal axis of the body member, and a lateral flange element extending from a lower peripheral portion of the body member for receiving the pointed end of a needle therein whereby the eye of the needle may be aligned with the diametrical aligning portion of the body member.

2. A needle threading device comprising an elongated body member, a leaf spring element secured at its lower end to a lower end portion of the body member and extending laterally therefrom, said body member including a diametrical aligning portion extending transversely through an upper end portion of said body member, a threader element having an end secured to an upper end portion of the leaf spring element in angular relationship thereto, the other end of the threader element terminating in a terminal hook portion extendable through the diametrical aligning portion normal to the longitudinal axis of the body member, and a lateral flange element extending from a lower peripheral portion of the body member for receiving the pointed end of a needle therein whereby the eye of the needle may be aligned with the diametrical aligning portion of the body member, the diametrical aligning portion comprising a diametrical notch portion extending through the upper end portion of the body member in planar alignment with the leaf spring element and threader element.

3. A needle threading device comprising an elongated body member, a leaf spring element secured at its lower end to a lower end portion of the body member and extending laterally therefrom, said body member including a diametrical aligning portion extending transversely through an upper end portion of said body member, a threader element having an end secured to an upper end portion of the leaf spring element in angular relationship thereto, the other end of the threader element terminating in a terminal hook portion extendable through the diametrical aligning portion normal to the longitudinal axis of the body member, and a lateral flange element extending from a lower peripheral portion of the body member for receiving the pointed end of a needle therein whereby the eye of the needle may be aligned with the diametrical aligning portion of the body member, said lateral flange portion comprising a resilient annular ring element slidably disposed about the outer periphery of the body member, said ring element being of a material penetrable by the point of a needle, and slidable for compensating for needles of varying lengths.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

